Victoria’s inner harbour is in for another busy stretch as thousands of cruise ship passengers get ready to disembark and explore the city.
From Monday, June 39th through next Sunday, 13 cruise ships are scheduled to arrive, bringing more than 45,000 passengers to the capital.
Several ships will be in port late into the evening, giving passengers extra time to explore downtown, take in local tours, or enjoy a bite along the Inner Harbour.
Here is a breakdown of the schedule from Monday June 30th to Sunday, July 6th:
The week kicks off with the Carnival Spirit, arriving at 8 p.m. on Monday, June 30th, and staying until just before midnight. With over 2,100 passengers on board, it’s sailing from Ketchikan to Seattle and docking at North B berth.
Wednesday, July 2nd will see a double arrival day with the Queen Elizabeth from Cunard Line docks arrive early at 9 a.m. and stays until 10 p.m., bringing more than 2,000 guests.
It’s a favourite for ship-spotters, known for its classic luxury style.
Later that evening, Carnival Luminosa arrives at 8 p.m., also staying until 11:59 p.m., adding another 2,260 passengers to the mix.
Get ready for one of the busiest evenings of the week on Thursday, July 3rd when two large ships will be in port at the same time.
Th Anthem of the Seas arrives at 5 p.m. with nearly 5,000 passengers. At over 1,100 feet long, it’s one of the largest ships to regularly visit Victoria.
Celebrity Edge arrives at the same time and stays until midnight, adding nearly 3,000 more guests. Known for its modern design and “Magic Carpet” platform, it’s one of the more eye-catching vessels of the season.
A cruise ship triple-header is set for the evening Friday, July 4th. Norwegian Bliss arrives at 7:30 p.m. with over 4,200 people. Eurodam from Holland America docks at 8 p.m. with another 2,100 passengers.
And the Royal Princess closes out the night at 8:30 p.m., bringing 3,560 more visitors to North B.
Saturday, July 5th will see another double arrival day with the Discovery Princess arriving at 7 p.m. with 3,660 passengers. Shortly after, Norwegian Encore docks at 7:30 p.m. with nearly 4,000 guests.
The week wraps up with three ship visits on Sunday, July 6th, making it another busy day.
Norwegian Joy docks early at 8:30 a.m. and remains until 11 p.m. with almost 3,900 passengers.
Ruby Princess arrives at 11 a.m. and departs at 10 p.m., sailing from Haines to San Francisco with 3,080 guests.
Quantum of the Seas pulls in at 5 p.m. and stays until 10 p.m., bringing 4,180 more visitors.
With multiple ships in port most evenings and thousands of visitors flooding into town, expect extra foot traffic around the Inner Harbour, James Bay, and downtown Victoria.
Harbour tours, taxis, and restaurants may also be busier than usual. If you’re planning to head downtown, it’s a great time to welcome visitors—but give yourself a bit of extra time to get around.
Want to know when the next ships arrive? Keep an eye on Victoria Buzz for cruise ship updates all season long.
